Belgian Strong Ale

Like regular Belgian ales, the Belgian strong ales also can range in color from pale to dark varieties. Regardless of the color, however, the Belgian strong ales are significantly stronger in alcohol content (7% and higher) and more complex than their weaker counterparts, although the good examples are not harsh. Flavors for the pale colored varieites include earthy, yeasty, fruity, peppery, sweet, and spicey attributes, while the dark colored varieties include caramel, bready, dark fruits (figs, prunes, raisins, plums), sweet, and spicey character. Belgian strong ales are also normally fermented with an addition of candi sugar. The resulting mouthfeel is typically moderate, often deceivingly lighter than their malt and alcohol content would suggest, due to the added candi sugar and high carbonation levels. The pale and golden varieties of Belgian strong ales normally differ from abbey tripels (which could be considered a subcategory of golden Belgian strong ales) in their lower bittering levels than the tripels, while the dark strong ales differ from dubbels in their malt and alcohol levels, but often overlap with the Abbey Quadrupels on both malt and alcohol levels (Abbey Quadrupels could be considered a subcategory of dark Belgian strong ales).

	Beer | Location	Reviews	Score
	Verhaeghe Barbe Rufa Belgium	1	3.100
	Verhaeghe Jan Bier Belgium	1	2.900
	Verhaeghe Noel Belgium	5	3.100
	Vermont Pub Diablo del Oro VT, United States	1	3.200
	Verstraete Papegaei Belgium	3	3.217
	Vervifontaine Bière Brune de Noel Belgium	1	3.050
	Vervifontaine Biere de Lion Belgium	0	0.000
	Vervifontaine Bière du Fagnard Blonde Belgium	1	3.200
	Vervifontaine Bière du Fagnard Rousse Belgium	5	3.438
	Vicaris Winter 10° Belgium	2	3.240
	Victory Grand Cru PA, United States	12	3.500
	Victory Merry Monkey PA, United States	2	3.300
	Victory Sapphire Ale PA, United States	3	3.184
	Victory V-10 PA, United States	4	3.657
	Victory V-1009 PA, United States	2	3.120
	Victory V-12 PA, United States	31	3.638
	Victory White Monkey PA, United States	5	3.400
	Vintage DeVille WI, United States	2	3.280
	Virklund Strong Ale Denmark	1	3.025
	Virklund Virklunder Rød Denmark	1	2.950